USIA files, lot 56 D 581, “Notes on McCarthy Hearings”
The Chairman of the Permanent Subcommittee on Investigations of the Committee on Government Operations of the United States Senate (McCarthy) to the Administrator of the International Information Administration (Johnson)
Dear Dr. Johnson: Since our Subcommittee started to expose the number of books by Communist authors which were purchased by the old Administration and placed in our Information libraries abroad, there have been a great number of conflicting news stories as to the policy to be followed with respect to such books by the new Administration.
For that reason, I feel that it would be very helpful if you could manage to appear before our Subcommittee at your earliest convenience to clarify some of the issues raised.
I have noted with some interest the various news stories and editorials to the effect that there is being invoked a ban against the use of books by “controversial authors” in the Information program. As you are aware, our Subcommittee has never used that term. Various members of the Subcommittee, including myself, however, have strongly objected to the use of books by Communist writers in this program which, of course, is not a general public library program by any means but is designed to illustrate the American way of life to people abroad.
As the Subcommittee made clear in the course of its hearings, we are equally distressed at the failure to utilize the writings of proven anti-Communists and ex-Communists to expose Communism for what it is. Such writings are an essential part of any program of education on this subject. To this end we would be most interested in any information you could give us as to the identification and activities of those who reportedly removed from the shelves some effective writings exposing Communism, especially Witness by Whittaker Chambers.
We look forward to your appearance at the earlist possible time.
Sincerely yours,